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Everything you need to know
about CleverAlpha.

Clear answers on automated investing, fees, account types, tax strategy, security, and how we build and manage your portfolio.

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01 — Getting to Know Us

About CleverAlpha

Who we are, how we are regulated, and what sets us apart from traditional investment management.

CleverAlpha is an SEC-registered automated investment management platform. We build and manage diversified ETF portfolios using rules-based, evidence-based methodology — for a flat advisory fee of 0.25% per year. Our approach is grounded in decades of academic research including modern portfolio theory, factor investing, and asset allocation principles.

Investment advisory services are offered through CleverAlpha Asset Management LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Yes. CleverAlpha Asset Management is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser, which means we are legally required to act as a fiduciary at all times — putting your interests ahead of our own. This is not a marketing claim. It is a legal obligation enforceable by the SEC.
CleverAlpha operates through two regulated entities:
  • CleverAlpha Asset Management LLC — SEC-registered investment adviser (CRD #301620). Provides portfolio management, investment advice, and fiduciary oversight.
  • CleverAlpha Securities (DBA of Velocity Capital LLC) — SEC-registered broker-dealer, member of FINRA and SIPC (CRD #171810). Handles trade execution and brokerage services.
You can verify both registrations at FINRA BrokerCheck and the SEC's IAPD.
Traditional advisors typically charge 1.0%–1.5% per year and manage portfolios manually, often with embedded product conflicts and minimum investment thresholds. CleverAlpha charges 0.25% per year with no account-opening minimum, uses rules-based portfolio construction with no discretionary stock picking, and gives you 24/7 access to your account and AI-powered insights. The core difference: systematic execution at a fraction of the cost.

Traditional advisor fee of 1.00%–1.5% is a general market reference. Individual advisor fees and services vary. Comparison may not reflect all advisor models.

CleverAlpha was built by practitioners, not by software engineers who layered on financial products after the fact. Key differences:
  • Flat 0.25% fee — no tiered pricing or premium upsells
  • 35 investment class categories vs. the typical 10–15 used by mass-market robo-advisors
  • Integrated broker-dealer (CleverAlpha Securities) for seamless execution
  • Direct access to a human adviser when needed
  • SEC-registered RIA with full fiduciary obligation — not just a suitability standard
CleverAlpha is designed for investors who want professional-grade portfolio management without the high fees and minimums of traditional advisors. Our clients tend to be:
  • Working professionals who want their money managed systematically while they focus on careers and life
  • Cost-conscious investors frustrated by high advisory fees
  • IRA and rollover investors looking for a modern alternative to a legacy custodian
  • Schwab or other brokerage clients looking to move to a managed solution
  • Anyone who wants ETF-based, evidence-driven investing done for them

CleverAlpha may not be appropriate for all investors. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

CleverAlpha Asset Management LLC is headquartered at 5155 West Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 320A, Hawthorne, CA 90250. CleverAlpha Securities (DBA of Velocity Capital LLC) is located at 199 Water Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10038. We serve clients nationally.
02 — Opening an Account

Getting Started

Everything you need to know to open your account, fund it, and get invested.

There is no account-opening minimum. You can open a CleverAlpha account with any amount. However, accounts below $5,000 are subject to a $1/month minimum advisory fee. For tax-loss harvesting and certain portfolio optimization features to be most effective, a portfolio of $10,000 or more is recommended.
Most accounts can be opened in 10–15 minutes entirely online. You will provide your identity information, agree to the CleverAlpha Investment Advisory Agreement, and set your investment objectives. KYC (Know Your Customer) verification typically completes within minutes. Once your account is approved and funded, your portfolio is built automatically.
To complete the account opening process you will need:
  • Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  • Current address and date of birth
  • Employment information
  • Bank account details for ACH funding
This information is required by federal law under the Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act for KYC and AML compliance.
You can fund your CleverAlpha account in several ways:
  • ACH bank transfer — Link your bank account and transfer funds electronically. Typically 2–3 business days to settle.
  • ACAT transfer — Transfer an existing brokerage account (including Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.) via the ACATS system. Takes 3–7 business days.
  • IRA rollover or transfer — Move a 401(k), 403(b), or existing IRA to a CleverAlpha IRA. Transfer timelines vary by custodian.
  • Check or wire — Available on request.
Once your account is approved, KYC is verified, and your initial deposit settles, CleverAlpha will build your portfolio based on your stated objectives and risk tolerance. This is typically done within one business day of funds settling. You will be notified when your portfolio is invested and can view your holdings immediately in your dashboard.
Yes. CleverAlpha supports UGMA (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act) and UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) custodial accounts. These accounts are managed by an adult custodian on behalf of a minor beneficiary. Assets legally transfer to the minor when they reach the age of majority in their state (typically 18 or 21). Custodial accounts are taxable accounts and may be subject to the "kiddie tax" rules. Consult a tax professional for guidance.
CleverAlpha currently services US persons (citizens, resident aliens, and those with a valid US Tax Identification Number) with a US residential address. Non-US residents and non-resident aliens may not be eligible for all account types. Contact us at support@cleveralpha.com to discuss your specific situation.
03 — What We Offer

Account Types

CleverAlpha supports a wide range of taxable, retirement, custodial, and transfer account structures.

CleverAlpha supports the following account types:
  • Taxable Individual — Standard brokerage account in your name
  • Joint Taxable — Shared account with a spouse or partner
  • Traditional IRA — Pre-tax retirement savings with tax-deferred growth
  • Roth IRA — After-tax contributions; qualified withdrawals are generally not federally taxed
  • Rollover IRA — Consolidate old 401(k) or 403(b) accounts
  • Custodial Roth IRA — Roth IRA for minors with earned income
  • UGMA / UTMA — Custodial accounts for minors
  • Schwab Transfer — Dedicated ACAT transfer workflow for Schwab accounts
  • Trust accounts — Available on request; contact us
  • Traditional IRA: Contributions may be tax-deductible depending on your income and workplace retirement plan coverage. Growth is tax-deferred. Withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73.
  • Roth IRA: Contributions are made with after-tax dollars (no deduction). Qualified withdrawals in retirement are generally not subject to federal income tax. No RMDs during the owner's lifetime. Income limits apply to Roth contributions.
The better choice depends on your current versus expected future tax rate, income, and timeline. Consult a tax professional for personalized guidance.

Tax treatment of IRAs depends on individual circumstances. This is educational information only, not tax advice.

For 2025, the IRA contribution limit is $7,000 per year ($8,000 if you are age 50 or older). This limit applies to the combined total across all Traditional and Roth IRAs you own. Roth IRA contributions are subject to income phase-out limits — consult IRS Publication 590-A for current thresholds. Contributions for a given tax year may typically be made until the tax filing deadline (April 15 of the following year).

Contribution limits are set by the IRS and may change annually. Verify current limits at irs.gov.

A Rollover IRA allows you to move assets from an employer-sponsored retirement plan (such as a 401(k) or 403(b)) into an IRA without triggering immediate taxes, provided you follow IRS rollover rules. Two types:
  • Direct rollover: Funds move directly from your former employer plan to your CleverAlpha IRA. No taxes withheld. This is generally the preferred method.
  • 60-day rollover: A distribution is made to you personally. You have 60 days to deposit the full amount (including any taxes withheld) into an IRA to avoid taxes and penalties. If taxes were withheld, you must make up the difference from other funds.

Rolling over a retirement plan involves complex tax rules. Consult a tax professional before initiating any rollover.

Yes. CleverAlpha supports joint taxable accounts, typically structured as Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship (JTWROS) or Tenants in Common. Joint accounts are available to married couples and domestic partners. Both account holders must complete the account opening process, including KYC verification. IRAs cannot be held jointly — they must be individual accounts by law.
Yes. You can have multiple CleverAlpha accounts — for example, a taxable individual account, a Traditional IRA, and a Roth IRA. Each account is managed according to its own investment objectives and risk profile. Having multiple account types may also allow for asset location strategies that can potentially improve after-tax efficiency across your overall portfolio.
04 — What You Pay

Fees & Pricing

Our fee structure is simple by design. No surprises, no tiers, no hidden charges.

0.25%
Annual advisory fee
$0
Account-opening minimum
$0
Trading commissions
$0
Hidden wrap fees
CleverAlpha charges 0.25% per year (25 basis points) on assets under management. This is our advisory fee and covers portfolio construction, monitoring, rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting when applicable, AI portfolio insights, and reporting. The fee is calculated daily and billed monthly. For example, on a $100,000 portfolio, the fee is approximately $250 per year, or about $21 per month.

Accounts below $5,000 are subject to a $1/month minimum advisory fee. ETF expense ratios and any applicable third-party charges are separate and additional.

No. Our 0.25% advisory fee is the only CleverAlpha charge. There are no:
  • Trading commissions
  • Custody fees
  • Transfer fees (in or out)
  • Account maintenance fees
  • Inactivity fees
  • Performance fees
The ETFs in your portfolio do carry their own internal expense ratios (typically 0.03%–0.15% per year), which go directly to the ETF providers — not to CleverAlpha. These are separate and disclosed on each ETF's fund page.
Traditional financial advisors typically charge 1.0%–1.5% per year. On a $500,000 portfolio, that is $5,000–$7,500 annually. CleverAlpha charges $1,250 per year on the same portfolio, a difference of $3,750–$6,250 per year. Over a 20-year period, lower fees can materially affect long-term account value, as fee savings compound alongside returns.

Comparison is generalized and may not reflect every adviser or service model. Traditional advisers may provide services CleverAlpha does not. Fees, minimums, and service levels vary by firm. This is illustrative only; actual results will vary.

The advisory fee is accrued daily based on the market value of your account and billed monthly in arrears. The daily fee is calculated as: Annual Rate (0.0025) / 365 x Daily Portfolio Value. The monthly bill reflects the total of daily accruals for that month. Fees are debited directly from your account, which may require liquidating a small position to cover the fee if no cash is available.
CleverAlpha does not charge a fee to close your account or transfer assets out. Standard ACAT transfer fees from the receiving institution may apply. Advisory fees accrued up to the closing date will be billed at the time of account closure. You remain responsible for any tax consequences of liquidating securities during a transfer.
Accounts with a value below $5,000 are subject to a minimum advisory fee of $1 per month (in lieu of the percentage-based fee, whichever is greater). This minimum helps cover the operational cost of maintaining smaller accounts. If your account grows above $5,000, the fee reverts to the standard 0.25% annual rate.
05 — How We Invest

Portfolio & Strategy

How CleverAlpha constructs, monitors, and manages your portfolio.

Your portfolio is constructed using our rules-based Allocation Model, which takes two primary inputs — your investment time horizon and risk tolerance — and generates a diversified ETF allocation across up to 35 investment class categories. These categories span US and international equities, fixed income, real estate, commodities, and cash. The model does not use active stock picking, market timing, or proprietary funds.

Past performance of any investment strategy is not a guarantee of future results. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.

CleverAlpha uses low-cost, broadly diversified ETFs from leading providers (such as iShares, Vanguard, SPDR, and others). ETFs are selected based on liquidity, cost (expense ratio), tracking accuracy, and breadth of exposure. We do not use proprietary funds, actively managed funds, or any product in which CleverAlpha receives a fee or revenue share from the ETF provider. Full holdings are disclosed in your account at all times.
CleverAlpha monitors your portfolio daily and rebalances when your actual allocation drifts meaningfully from your target allocation. Rebalancing is not done on a fixed calendar schedule — it is triggered by threshold-based drift detection. This approach reduces unnecessary trading (and tax events) while keeping your portfolio aligned with your objectives. Additionally, new contributions and dividends are used to rebalance toward target weights where possible.
CleverAlpha offers five risk profiles ranging from conservative to aggressive:
  • Conservative: Capital preservation focus. Higher allocation to fixed income and cash. Suitable for shorter time horizons or lower risk tolerance.
  • Moderately Conservative: Balanced with a tilt toward fixed income. Moderate equity exposure.
  • Moderate: Balanced allocation between equities and fixed income. Typical growth-and-income objective.
  • Moderately Aggressive: Growth-oriented with higher equity allocation. Accepts more volatility in pursuit of higher long-term returns.
  • Aggressive: Maximum equity allocation. Long time horizon, high risk tolerance, focus on long-term capital appreciation.
Your risk profile is set during onboarding and can be updated at any time.
Yes, for eligible taxable accounts. Tax-loss harvesting involves selling positions at a loss to realize a capital loss that can offset taxable gains or up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year (under current tax law). The proceeds are reinvested in a similar — but not substantially identical — security to maintain your portfolio's risk and return characteristics while complying with IRS wash-sale rules. Tax-loss harvesting does not apply to IRA accounts, where gains and losses do not have immediate tax consequences.

Tax-loss harvesting may not be appropriate for all investors and in all situations. Consult a qualified tax professional. CleverAlpha does not provide tax advice.

Yes. You can update your time horizon, risk tolerance, and investment objectives at any time through your account portal. When you change your profile, CleverAlpha will generate a new target allocation and rebalance your portfolio to the updated targets. Changes that trigger taxable events in a non-IRA account will be disclosed before execution.
Yes — complete transparency is a core principle. Your account dashboard shows every ETF you own, its weight in your portfolio, its current market value, your cost basis, and the reason it is in your portfolio. There are no black boxes. You also receive regular statements and trade confirmations as required by SEC regulations.
06 — Tax Efficiency

Tax Strategy

How CleverAlpha approaches tax-aware investing. This is educational information — not tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for your situation.

Asset location is the practice of placing different types of investments in the account type that is most tax-advantaged for those specific holdings — not to be confused with asset allocation (what you own) or asset location in a geographic sense. For example, bonds that generate ordinary income may be better suited to a tax-deferred IRA, while growth-oriented equity ETFs may benefit from placement in a Roth IRA. Done thoughtfully, asset location may improve after-tax returns without changing your risk profile. Results depend on individual circumstances and are not guaranteed.

Asset location decisions have complex tax implications. This is for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified tax or financial professional before making any decisions.

The wash-sale rule (IRS Section 1091) disallows a tax loss if you purchase a "substantially identical" security within 30 days before or after the sale. To comply with this rule while maintaining market exposure, CleverAlpha replaces the harvested security with a similar — but not substantially identical — ETF during the 30-day window. For example, if we harvest a loss in one US equity ETF, we might temporarily hold a different US equity ETF tracking a different index. After 30 days, we may return to the original holding.

Wash-sale rules are complex and apply across all accounts (including IRAs for some purposes). Do not rely on this summary for tax decisions.

Dividends paid by ETFs in your portfolio are automatically reinvested. CleverAlpha uses dividends to purchase additional shares and also as an opportunity to rebalance toward underweight positions — reducing the need for separate rebalancing trades that could trigger capital gains in taxable accounts. In taxable accounts, dividends are taxable events regardless of whether they are reinvested.
Yes. You will receive all required tax documents, including:
  • Form 1099-B — Reports proceeds and gains/losses from security sales in taxable accounts
  • Form 1099-DIV — Reports dividends and capital gain distributions
  • Form 1099-R — Reports IRA distributions
  • Form 5498 — Reports IRA contributions and fair market value
These are made available in your account portal and mailed by the IRS-required deadlines.
No. CleverAlpha provides investment management and investment advisory services. We do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. While our platform incorporates tax-aware strategies (such as tax-loss harvesting and asset location) as part of portfolio management, these are investment decisions — not tax advice. You should consult a qualified CPA, tax attorney, or enrolled agent for tax guidance specific to your situation.
07 — Moving Your Money

Transfers & Funding

How to move assets from Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, and other custodians to CleverAlpha.

Yes. CleverAlpha has a dedicated Schwab transfer workflow at /schwab-transfer. You can initiate an ACAT (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service) transfer of your Schwab account to CleverAlpha. The process takes 3–7 business days. Your assets transfer in-kind or are liquidated and re-invested depending on the account type and holdings.

ACAT transfers are subject to the rules of NSCC, DTCC, and the delivering custodian. Timelines may vary.

CleverAlpha can accept ACAT transfers from most major US broker-dealers and custodians, including Fidelity, Vanguard, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Edward Jones, TD Ameritrade (now Schwab), and others. IRA transfers (direct trustee-to-trustee transfers) are also available from most custodians. Contact us at support@cleveralpha.com to initiate a transfer from a custodian not listed on our standard transfer form.
For ACAT transfers, existing ETF positions may transfer in-kind. However, since CleverAlpha manages your portfolio using its own ETF selection, positions that do not fit your target allocation will typically be liquidated and re-invested into the CleverAlpha model portfolio. In taxable accounts, liquidation may trigger capital gains — this is disclosed before execution. In IRA accounts, liquidation is generally tax-neutral within the account.
CleverAlpha does not charge a fee to accept inbound transfers. However, your current custodian may charge a transfer-out fee (typically $50–$100). We may be able to reimburse transfer fees for eligible accounts — contact us to inquire. ACAT transfer timelines and any fees charged by the delivering firm are governed by that firm's policies.
Withdrawals from your CleverAlpha account can be initiated through your account portal. CleverAlpha will liquidate the necessary positions and transfer the funds to your linked bank account via ACH. Standard settlement is T+1 for most equity ETFs, plus 1–3 business days for ACH transfer. In taxable accounts, withdrawals may trigger capital gains. IRA withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty and ordinary income taxes, with certain exceptions under IRS rules.
Yes. Automatic recurring contributions can be set up in your account portal. You can schedule weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly ACH deposits from your linked bank account. Recurring contributions are invested according to your current target allocation, which also helps keep your portfolio balanced over time without additional rebalancing trades.
08 — Your Money Is Safe

Security & Protection

How your assets are protected, who holds them, and what happens in edge cases.

Securities in your CleverAlpha account are held through CleverAlpha Securities (DBA of Velocity Capital LLC), a member of SIPC. SIPC protects customer securities and cash up to $500,000 (including up to $250,000 for cash claims) in the event of a broker-dealer failure. SIPC protection is not insurance against investment losses — it only applies if the broker-dealer fails and customer assets cannot be located.
Your assets are held in your name in a segregated account at our clearing and custody partner. CleverAlpha holds discretionary authority to manage your portfolio on your behalf (buy, sell, and rebalance), but your assets are never commingled with CleverAlpha's firm assets. You can view your holdings, statements, and transaction history at any time and withdraw funds subject to standard settlement rules.
Because your assets are held in your name at a custodian (not on CleverAlpha's balance sheet), they are not at risk if CleverAlpha ceases operations. In such a scenario, you would retain full ownership of your securities and could direct them to another broker-dealer or custodian via ACAT transfer. SIPC protections through CleverAlpha Securities would apply to any brokerage account assets during a broker-dealer wind-down.
CleverAlpha uses industry-standard security practices including:
  • TLS 1.3 encryption for all data in transit
  • AES-256 encryption for sensitive data at rest
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) available on all accounts
  • SOC-compliant infrastructure through our technology partners
  • Strict access controls and role-based permissions internally
We do not sell your personal data to third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Yes. There are no lock-up periods or early withdrawal fees for CleverAlpha-managed accounts. Standard settlement times apply (T+1 for most equity ETF sales, plus 1–3 business days for ACH). Note that early withdrawals from IRAs before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty and ordinary income tax on pre-tax amounts, with certain exceptions.
09 — The Platform

Technology & AI

How CleverAlpha's technology platform, AI advisor, and tools work.

CleverAlpha's AI advisor is built by CleverAlpha Technologies LLC and is designed to analyze your portfolio, answer investment questions in plain language, explain portfolio actions, and surface relevant insights about your account. It is not a general-purpose chatbot — it is specifically trained on CleverAlpha's investment methodology, portfolio construction rules, and your individual account data. It monitors your portfolio daily and can alert you to meaningful changes.

AI-generated insights are for informational purposes. They do not constitute personalized investment advice. All portfolio management decisions are made by CleverAlpha's investment management system subject to human oversight and controls.

The Allocation Model is CleverAlpha's interactive portfolio construction engine. You can explore it live at /allocation-model. It shows exactly how your portfolio allocation shifts across all 35 investment class categories as you adjust your time horizon and risk profile — year by year. It is fully rules-based, transparent, and available to explore before you open an account.
CleverAlpha offers a suite of free planning and analysis tools, including: All tools are free and require no account.
CleverAlpha is developing a native mobile app for iOS and Android. The current platform is fully responsive and works well on mobile browsers. The native app will include push notifications for portfolio events, voice-enabled AI advisor access, biometric login, and streamlined account management. Check cleveralphaassetmanagement.com for availability updates.
CleverAlpha Technologies LLC is the technology arm of the CleverAlpha group of companies. It builds and operates the digital infrastructure, AI tools, and client-facing applications that power the CleverAlpha investment platform. Visit cleveralphatechnologies.com to learn more.
10 — New Account Type

Trump Accounts (MAGA Accounts)

What the new proposed tax-advantaged savings accounts are, how they work, and what CleverAlpha's role is.

Note: Trump Accounts (also referred to as MAGA Accounts or Money Accounts for Growth and Advancement) are a proposed legislative program. The program is not yet law and details may change. The information below reflects current public proposals and may not reflect final legislation. This is not investment advice.

Trump Accounts, formally known as MAGA Accounts (Money Accounts for Growth and Advancement), are a proposed tax-advantaged savings program for children. Under current proposals, every US child born between January 2025 and January 2029 would receive a $1,000 government seed deposit. Parents, family members, and employers could contribute up to $5,000 per year. The account would invest in broad market index funds and grow tax-free until the child reaches adulthood.

This program is proposed legislation and has not been enacted into law. Details are subject to change by Congress. Do not rely on this summary for planning purposes without first confirming current legislative status.

Under current proposals, Trump Accounts would be available to US citizens born between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2029. The $1,000 government seed contribution would be automatic for eligible children. Contributions by parents and family members are proposed to be permitted up to $5,000 per year from any individual source. Specific eligibility requirements, income limits, and the timing of the seed contribution are subject to the final legislative text.
CleverAlpha is actively monitoring the Trump Account legislation and preparing to support this account type once it becomes law. Our platform is well-positioned to administer Trump Accounts given our experience with custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA), our low-cost ETF model, and our technology infrastructure. Visit /trump-accounts for our full explainer and a projection calculator.
  • 529 plans — Tax-advantaged education savings. Growth is generally not subject to federal tax when used for qualified education expenses. Contributions are after-tax; some states offer deductions.
  • UGMA/UTMA accounts — Taxable custodial accounts with no contribution limits but no special tax advantages. Assets transfer to the child at age of majority.
  • Trump Accounts (proposed) — Broader use cases than 529s (not limited to education), government seed contribution, tax-free growth as proposed. Subject to legislative finalization.

Comparison is based on current proposals. Final legislative details may differ materially.

CleverAlpha's Trump Account Calculator lets you model growth scenarios based on initial government contribution, annual family contributions, rate of return, and time horizon. All projections are illustrative and based on assumed rates of return — they do not represent guaranteed returns or predict actual future values.
11 — Planning for the Future

Retirement Planning

How CleverAlpha supports your retirement savings goals across IRA, rollover, and Social Security planning.

CleverAlpha supports Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, and Custodial Roth IRA accounts. We do not currently offer SEP-IRAs or SIMPLE IRAs as standard products, though these may be available on request. Contact us at support@cleveralpha.com for availability.
Rolling over a 401(k) to a CleverAlpha IRA may be appropriate if your former employer's plan has high fees, limited investment options, or you want consolidated management. Potential benefits include broader diversification, professional management at 0.25%, and access to tax-loss harvesting (not available within a 401k). Potential drawbacks: 401(k) plans offer some creditor protections under ERISA that IRAs may not, and some employer plans offer institutional-rate investments not available in IRAs. Use our Rollover Analyzer to model your specific situation, and consult a financial professional.

Whether a rollover is appropriate depends on your individual circumstances. This is not personalized investment advice.

CleverAlpha offers a free Social Security Benefits Analyzer that helps you model different claiming age scenarios and estimate the breakeven points and lifetime benefit differences between claiming early (age 62), at Full Retirement Age (FRA), and at age 70. The tool is educational only and does not constitute a Social Security planning recommendation. Consult the Social Security Administration and a qualified financial adviser for personalized advice.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals from tax-deferred retirement accounts (Traditional IRAs, Rollover IRAs, and most employer plans) that must begin at age 73 under current law (SECURE 2.0 Act). The RMD amount is calculated based on your account balance and IRS life expectancy tables. Failing to take an RMD results in a penalty of 25% of the shortfall (reduced to 10% if corrected within two years). Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs during the account owner's lifetime. CleverAlpha will notify you as your RMD age approaches and can assist with the withdrawal.

RMD rules are complex and subject to change. Verify current rules at irs.gov or consult a tax professional.

Generally, as investors approach and enter retirement, portfolios often shift toward lower volatility and income-generating assets (more fixed income, less equity) to reduce sequence-of-returns risk — the risk that early retirement portfolio losses may significantly reduce long-term wealth. CleverAlpha's allocation model accounts for time horizon and risk tolerance, which naturally reflect these shifts. You can update your investment profile at any time to reflect changing circumstances.

This is general educational information only. Individual retirement investment needs vary significantly. Consult a financial planner for personalized guidance.

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